During the “Roaring Twenties” many new ideas and social aspects arose due to corruption within s
Men sharing drinks at a "speakeasy"
ociety. Sex, drugs and money became a major part of the social scene. Due to some political views and laws passed as well as certain aspects within the economy, places by the name of speakeasies arose. Speakeasies, or to the lower class known as, “The Blind Pig” or “The Blind Tiger”, were places in which people could obtain illegal alcohol. The name speakeasies originated from a common statement made by the bartenders, “Speak Easy”, in other words “Keep quiet.” [3] People even began to write about the corruption and the activities within society as seen by F. Scott Fitzgerald in hid famous book The Great Gatsby. WIthin this book the nightlife was portrayed with parties and get togethers and once again drugs and sex were the main focuses of this novel.
Political issues such as Prohibition are what brought about these illegal saloons. Many laws prohibiting alcohol were passed, including that of the 18th amendment[1]. The 18th amendment stated that the selling, creating, and moving of alcoholic beverages was illegal in the United States.[3] In turn, the passage of the 18th amendment and other prohibition laws led to the establishment of speakeasies. Due to the corruption of the social scene in th
A woman at a "speakeasy".
e 1920’s organized crime escalated. Speakeasies were sometimes a form of this organized crime. Gangsters who managed these bars smuggled alcohol form Mexico, Canada and the West Indies, this process is known as bootlegging. This business became very profitable for those involved. New York City was a common place where this occurred. During this time there were thought to be more than50,000 speakeasies in New York alone. Law enforcement officers helped to keep these establishments alive by accepting bribes from the managers. Nightclubs arose during this time as well. Nightclubs and speakeasies went hand in hand. They arose for the same reason and held the same ideas. Women dressed in sexy clothing were the waitresses and just like the speakeasies alcohol seemed readily available. Organized crime was prominent within nightclubs as well, no only was liquor readily available but gambling and scandals were famous activities. Speakeasies and Nightclubs all arose from Prohibition laws passed and escalated due to the passage of the 18th amendment.[4] They helped to contribute to social corruption as well as wealth for those who established these bars. They brought enjoyment to society and a new found freedom. [1] The 18th Amendment was repealed in 1933, when the 21st Amendment was put into action.
Speakeasies and Nightclubs
During the “Roaring Twenties” many new ideas and social aspects arose due to corruption within s
Political issues such as Prohibition are what brought about these illegal saloons. Many laws prohibiting alcohol were passed, including that of the 18th amendment[1]. The 18th amendment stated that the selling, creating, and moving of alcoholic beverages was illegal in the United States.[3] In turn, the passage of the 18th amendment and other prohibition laws led to the establishment of speakeasies. Due to the corruption of the social scene in th
Nightclubs arose during this time as well. Nightclubs and speakeasies went hand in hand. They arose for the same reason and held the same ideas. Women dressed in sexy clothing were the waitresses and just like the speakeasies alcohol seemed readily available. Organized crime was prominent within nightclubs as well, no only was liquor readily available but gambling and scandals were famous activities.
Speakeasies and Nightclubs all arose from Prohibition laws passed and escalated due to the passage of the 18th amendment.[4] They helped to contribute to social corruption as well as wealth for those who established these bars. They brought enjoyment to society and a new found freedom.
[1] The 18th Amendment was repealed in 1933, when the 21st Amendment was put into action.
Nightlife/Leisure Home
Works Cited
[2] Pearson, Chris. “Speakeasies and Prohibition.” 7 March 2008. <http://www.huffenglish.com/gatsby/speakeasies.html>.
[3] “Speakeasies.” Library: thinkquest. 7 March 2008. <http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/00492/Speakeasies.htm>.
[4] The Politics of Prohibition: The 1920s. 7 March 2008. <http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/lectures/lecture17.html>.